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Ask the Superintendent: Library at the high school?

By Dr. Brad Manard

BCSD Superintendent

Q: How will the high school accommodate learning needs of students without a library from January 2014-August 2015?

A: Due to the required phasing of demolition and construction at Boone High School, the actual library room will not be accessible from January 2014-August 2015. To accommodate student learning needs, we have planned several accommodations.

This past summer the computer lab was remodeled to increase accessibility to 90 computers that will include the desktops from the library. All of these have research capabilities, and three classes can use the lab at the same time. Additionally, there will be 5 carts of MacBook Pro’s with 25-30 computers each available for teacher checkout. With so much of the non-fiction materials being accessible via the Internet, in the past year we have increased the amount of technology adding 7 full classroom iPad carts for all of the social studies and world language classrooms. Scott Kiesel, the district librarian, has been coordinating the purchases of 40 Kindles and loaded each with a large number of the popular fiction titles often used with the English Language Arts curriculum. These forms of technology are bolstering many of the typical services used in the library. Additionally, each English language arts teacher and social studies teacher has compiled a list of the most frequently requested/utilized books and media materials for course work. Each of these teachers will “host” and store these materials in their classrooms. The high school representatives have also met with representatives from Ericson Public Library (two blocks east of the high school) in order to better understand the availability of materials for student access as needed. Related to the use of the library, for certain courses we have already structured the timing of the courses in the bell schedule to allow for the use during public library hours. Overall, the intent during this transition time is that students should not see a significant disruption related to library resource materials. The new library and media service area will be open in the fall of 2015 with the intent to accommodate all of the books, increase collaboration spaces, technology integrated learning centers, and provide an open arena for presentation and large group learning. As we are making significant facility improvements, thank you for your understanding of the construction schedule and requirement.